Amenta Emma Architects has completed a renovation and addition to Lafayette Hall at Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Housatonic Community College understands the importance of first impressions. In an exciting renovation and addition to Lafayette Hall, the building, once a bland, tired shopping mall with no clear front door, has a proud new persona in Bridgeport. The strong, bold transparent addition, strengthens the hall’s relationship to campus and to the street, inviting people in. This is significant for two reasons.

Now accommodating a Welcome Center for new and prospective students, Lafayette hall also showcases gems from the College’s renowned art collection, which includes works by Renoir, Matisse, Picasso, Miro Chagall, Rodin, Klimt and Rauchenburg, to name a few. Visitors are welcome to spend time with the masters.

Student services such as admissions, financial aid and the business office are conveniently located along a ground floor “Main Street.” Art teaching spaces are on upper floors of the new addition, science labs in a renovated existing portion of the building. An interior lounge space and a new courtyard at the rear entrance invite students and faculty to meet and mingle. Designers made the most of generous glazing, which allows passersby to see activity within. A dramatic two-story atrium, joins the first floor with upper level classroom activities. A second-story bridge allows covered passage to an adjacent parking garage.

Architect: Amenta Emma Architects General Contractor: Newfield Construction Educational Space Planning: McFarland Kistler & Associates Photographer: Robert Benson Photography

12 Images | expand images for additional detail